Practice mute for stringed instruments



July 5,1949. 5 K SCHUH' 2,415,055

PRACTICE MUTE FOKSTRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Sept. 25, 1946 mmvron.

Fatented July 5, 194$;

PRACTICE MUTE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Karl Schuh, Chicago, 111.

Application September 25, 1946, Serial No. 699,156

1 Claim.

My invention relates to practice mutes for stringed instruments.

My invention relates more particularly to a more perfect mute for stringed instruments, such as the double bass, cello, viola or violin and is so constructed that in proportion to the size of the bridge required for the various instruments, the mute is particularly adapted so that it will be suc cessful in reducing sound and entirely eliminating any possibility of buzz or rasp.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved mute of the type described. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mute of the type described made of solid brass and made in such a way that the same proportions as to size and coverage of the bridge and thickness of the material of the mute can be proportioned for the various size bridges which are used upon the various stringed instruments.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying sheet of drawings upon which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a cello bridge with my improved mute in osition thereon;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional View of the same taken generally on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view at a reduced scale of a bridge for a double bass violin showing my improved mute in position thereon;

Fig. 4 is a similar side elevational View approximately full size of a viola bridge, with a similar mute constructed in proportion and positioned for use upon this bridge; and

Fig. 5 is a similar side elevational view of the usual violin bridge with the mute mounted in position thereon.

In the embodiment of the invention which I have chosen to illustrate and describe herein, in Fig. 1, I have shown a bridge H] which may be generally similar and of the same size as that used upon violin cellos. The design of the bridge is of no importance in connection with the mute l2, except at the top thereof, where I provide the notches l4 over which the strings of the instrument are drawn in a taut position for playing.

The mute which I provide is preferably constructed of solid brass and has a tapered slot I6 tapered to the same shape as the taper of the body I 8 of the bridge, so that it will fit snugly upon both sides of the bridge with its side walls in contact with the side walls of the bridge throughout the length of the same. The mute may be provided with a plurality of prongs 20, which extend downwardly from the main body 22 of the same, the prongs having the tapered walls previously described and embracin the body of the bridge upon the sides of the notches l4. Since there are four notches on the usual bridge, the mute is provided with five prongs, the outer edge of the outside prongs being generally aligned with the outer edge of the bridge.

The practicing mute, which I have provided, is not an ordinary mute but a tone reducer of greater magnitude than any other mute. It is preferably made of solid brass and must be provided with a carefully tapered bridge slot, which I have described, to insure a perfect fit on the bridge to which it is applied. When this is done, the mute will entirely eliminate any possibility of buzz or rasp.

The weight of this mute successfully dampens the vibrations without distorting the clear, sweet tone of the instrument and is so evenly balanced that the performer may practice on all strings and in all registers without being sufiiciently loud to disturb anyone.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5, I have shown the mute l2 reproduced in proportionate size for the violin bow 26, the violin bow 28 and the viola bridge, etc. 30. The shape as can be seen is identical for each one of the various sized bridges being thinner, wider and longer in proportion to the various sizes of the bridge.

In the proportion which I have constructed the mute and shown in the drawings, I have found that it gives the same results above set forth when made in a small size for violin and the larger sizes for the viola, cello and double bass violins. I 'Wish to call special attention to the fact that the weight and density of a mute made of solid brass of the thickness illustrated is the factor that makes this mute more effective than other mutes now offered for sale.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made in the exact details shown and I do not wish to limit myself in any particular; rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A practice mute for stringed instruments adapted to be placed over the top of the bridge, the mute having a plurality of sets of downward- 1y depending prongs and slots between said pairs of prongs whereby a set of prongs is positioned on both sides of each string, said prongs having parallel side walls and having their inner walls tapered to effect contact throughout their length with both side walls of the bridge, said slots being suiiiciently deep to permit the strings of the instrument to pass over the bridge without interference therewith.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Dec, 10, 1920 

